Longdog Cymru
Well-Known Member
Just like “BMW lifetime” shaft drive thenThose are "BMW lifetime" chains.
Tracer 9 GT+ test ride
- Thread starter EnnK
- Start date
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
When comparing chain to shaft efficiency, it’s important to realize that chain losses are for new perfectly adjusted and lubricated chain and sprockets. The efficiency will decline with mileage, wear, corrosion and cleanliness. A shaft on the other hand does not face this degradation issue. There are probably plenty of chain driven bikes out there with high mileage and or marginal maintenance with worse efficiency than a shaft.
Donk
Well-Known Member
Sort of reviving an old thread and it's not exactly the same bike but I took a '22 Tracer 9 GT for a ride today. The one with the goofy double dash. I believe it is the 9GT vs the 9GT+? Nice bike, goes well stops well quick shifter works nicely in both directions and windshield was adequate. It is not an S10 and shouldn't be confused as one. Overall I enjoyed the bike. If I had to gripe about anything it would be the dash but that is an old and common gripe. Other than that it's a good bike.
Donk
Well-Known Member
Update; Found out I can buy that '22 Tracer9GT really right if I want to. Has 5k miles on it and is super clean. I'm just not sure what the point of it would be. The bike would slot squarely in the middle of the Honda NC750X and the Super Tenere. It clearly is a step up in performance and features form the Honda but to what point. Honda is a pleasant fun bike. While maybe more entertaining than the S10 it doesn't compare as along distance touring bike. We can skip any discussion about off road capabilities because I don't have any desire to go off road. Best reason I can come up with to buy it is it has blue wheels same as my S10!
EnnK
Active Member
update: did a testride on Tracer 9 GT+ 2025 today and decided to trade my Super Tenere in for it. What a fantastic bike! Some people do not care for the looks very much, but for me this is OK. The engine in combination with the automatic gearbox is super dynamic and gears change seemlessly. Suspension is also significantly improved, it is not so hard and rigid as on 24 GT+, but very much like I had on my Fjr1300 with Öhlins shock. You still do feel everything on the road, but in sort of comfortable way, does not kick the ass as the previous model did. Sure, no match to Super Ternere plush though, but it is also a bit faster bike, so the somewhat tighter suspension is in place. The wind protection is also better than on the 24 model and controls/display much improved. Will get it in the end of next week, then can do longer rides and report about the details more.
very nice
enjoy your new ride
Rob
enjoy your new ride
Rob
Boris
Well-Known Member
Good luck with the new bike, please do keep us updated on how you’re getting on with it.
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
Sadly I don’t think Yamaha offers the GT+ in the US for 2025.
I think Yamaha is trying to move their price points down instead of up. Yes, the + version has some fancy electronics and other minor stuff but is it enough to justify the significantly higher price? I beleve one of the reasons the younger crowd is not as engaged is bikes are not the inexpensive fun they use to be. The marginal utility for most rides these days is pretty skinny IMHO.
There is a tendency to build stuff for engineers and pundits forgetting it is customers Who are paying for it. Ask KTM and HD how that has or is working out……
My R6 kid is supposed to go test one. I thought, or assumed, it was a '25. Maybe it's a '24.
Yup. No 2025 GT+ in the US. What in the actual f**K is going on at Yamaha? No Super Tenere. No FJR. No R1. No 9 GT+. And the R7 is a lump of shit. That makes the largest bike that Yamaha offers in the US as the half-assed Tracer 9. What's the point? Apparently, the UK/EU buy more bikes than the US? 'Cuz, they get everything. And apparently determine what we get.
cyclemike4
Well-Known Member
Yea what is going on at Yamaha? I used to never even look at other brands when i wanted to buy a new bike. they are forcing me to now. Good thing my Super T is going strong and I like it now 10 years later more than ever!Yup. No 2025 GT+ in the US. What in the actual f**K is going on at Yamaha? No Super Tenere. No FJR. No R1. No 9 GT+. And the R7 is a lump of shit. That makes the largest bike that Yamaha offers in the US as the half-assed Tracer 9. What's the point? Apparently, the UK/EU buy more bikes than the US? 'Cuz, they get everything. And apparently determine what we get.
Silver Badger
Well-Known Member
Two years ago when I was first sniffing a Super Tenere, I test road a 2022 Tracer GT. The ergonomics were way off for me. Handle bar reach, angle, grip, display......just off.
Seat position and foot pegs, kati-wampus. The foot pegs were in the way when my feet were on the ground.
Wind screen and air flow disappointing. The whole bike didn't do a damn thing for me.
Since Bambi did a Scud Attack on Big Daddy, I was at Sturgis Motorsports with the intent of test riding a Vstrom 800 Touring. There's been a 2025 Tracer 9 on the floor for a couple weeks but I had no interest. The sales manager asked if I wanted to test ride it. I told him I wasn't interested. He told me, "Yamaha made some changes, you need to take it for a ride". Okay! So I did. WOW! Completely different bike. I was impressed. It flat fit. The wind screen and air flow, though, not a Vstream, was pretty darn good for stock. The triple motor goes without saying. Smooth and quiet. Although, I do miss the clinking, clanking, clattering of the S-10.
It has all the basic amenities and ride modes of today's modern bikes. And it has hand guards and cruise control! It doesn't have heated grips, but Yamaha offers the option.
I did test ride the Vstrom 800. Awesome motor and transmission. I didn't notice any vibration, but the mirrors were totally blurred.
It felt way more top heavy than the Tracer, and the overall build quality didn't match the Yamaha. And the stock wind screen absolutely sucked. No surprise there. A Vstream will completely fix that.
So I pulled the trigger and placed a deposit on the Tracer. Now, I just have to lock horns with the insurance company.
Seat position and foot pegs, kati-wampus. The foot pegs were in the way when my feet were on the ground.
Wind screen and air flow disappointing. The whole bike didn't do a damn thing for me.
Since Bambi did a Scud Attack on Big Daddy, I was at Sturgis Motorsports with the intent of test riding a Vstrom 800 Touring. There's been a 2025 Tracer 9 on the floor for a couple weeks but I had no interest. The sales manager asked if I wanted to test ride it. I told him I wasn't interested. He told me, "Yamaha made some changes, you need to take it for a ride". Okay! So I did. WOW! Completely different bike. I was impressed. It flat fit. The wind screen and air flow, though, not a Vstream, was pretty darn good for stock. The triple motor goes without saying. Smooth and quiet. Although, I do miss the clinking, clanking, clattering of the S-10.
It has all the basic amenities and ride modes of today's modern bikes. And it has hand guards and cruise control! It doesn't have heated grips, but Yamaha offers the option.
I did test ride the Vstrom 800. Awesome motor and transmission. I didn't notice any vibration, but the mirrors were totally blurred.
It felt way more top heavy than the Tracer, and the overall build quality didn't match the Yamaha. And the stock wind screen absolutely sucked. No surprise there. A Vstream will completely fix that.
So I pulled the trigger and placed a deposit on the Tracer. Now, I just have to lock horns with the insurance company.
pooh and xtine
Well-Known Member
After 3 STs over a 10 year period, I was nervous about getting a Tracer 9 for 2-up touring, but its an excellent bike. Lighter and easier to handle with a much lower centre of gravity than the ST. It’s not as well made as the ST was, though and chain drive is a pain. Yamaha make great bikes!
Silver Badger
Well-Known Member
We don't even get the GT this year, only the base 9.
I wonder if we'll get it at all. For whatever reason, Yamaha doesn't seem to be all that interested in motorcycle sales in the US. I'm guess that side by side sales are much more lucrative.
2025 WOLVERINE RMAX4 1000
$31K after discounts.
The 2dr below STARTS at 25K.
EnnK
Active Member
OK, so here's my new beauty.
I have been riding it for 700 km now and I have to say it is an absolutely great machine. It is so much more nimble and lighter compared to ST, especially on smaller curvy roads. The engine is fantastic and so is the button controlled gearbox. Also the automatic mode is pretty ok, but I prefer the buttons. I did have the FJR with automatic clutch, but this one is even faster and smoother.
I did install 2,5 cm lower pegs and that made the knee/hip angle very close to the one I had on Super Tenere. The OEM peg position is far to cramped for me on longer ride. The stock comfort saddle is better than the ST stock saddle, I can ride about 80 minutes before my butt demands a break and thats double the time I could manage on ST stock saddle.
The windshield is smaller than ST Touring screen, but no buffeting and allows plenty of air flow on a hot summer day. And it is electrically controlled, about 10 cm.
The suspension is very good, detailed and precise but not harsh. Very different than the ST though, which was more or less like sitting on the couch in standard position (ZE model). Here you really feel everything on the road.
Brakes are also much better than on ST, they are lighter and bite very well.
The active cruise control works great and so do the blind spot detectors.
It has keyless panniers with light inside, hill hold control, tire pressure monitors, backlit handlebar buttons and probably a number of other goodies I just can't remember. The dash is nice, there are a lot of things you can adjust there. I have not bothered to link my phone to it as I installed the Lamtto (cheap, but very good) carplay screen and that fullfills all my music, comms and gps needs.
So, as you might guess, my first emotions are very, very positive.
I have been riding it for 700 km now and I have to say it is an absolutely great machine. It is so much more nimble and lighter compared to ST, especially on smaller curvy roads. The engine is fantastic and so is the button controlled gearbox. Also the automatic mode is pretty ok, but I prefer the buttons. I did have the FJR with automatic clutch, but this one is even faster and smoother.
I did install 2,5 cm lower pegs and that made the knee/hip angle very close to the one I had on Super Tenere. The OEM peg position is far to cramped for me on longer ride. The stock comfort saddle is better than the ST stock saddle, I can ride about 80 minutes before my butt demands a break and thats double the time I could manage on ST stock saddle.
The windshield is smaller than ST Touring screen, but no buffeting and allows plenty of air flow on a hot summer day. And it is electrically controlled, about 10 cm.
The suspension is very good, detailed and precise but not harsh. Very different than the ST though, which was more or less like sitting on the couch in standard position (ZE model). Here you really feel everything on the road.
Brakes are also much better than on ST, they are lighter and bite very well.
The active cruise control works great and so do the blind spot detectors.
It has keyless panniers with light inside, hill hold control, tire pressure monitors, backlit handlebar buttons and probably a number of other goodies I just can't remember. The dash is nice, there are a lot of things you can adjust there. I have not bothered to link my phone to it as I installed the Lamtto (cheap, but very good) carplay screen and that fullfills all my music, comms and gps needs.
So, as you might guess, my first emotions are very, very positive.
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
How or what did you use to lower the foot pegs? Knee room is the only issue I had sitting on one as a fit test.